Device for securing an electronic member to a tyre casing

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for securing an electronic member comprising: - a tread (11) suitable for being secured to a tyre casing; - a sidewall (12) suitable for holding the electronic member, extending from the tread (11) to a free edge (13); - an open volume (20) suitable for accommodating said electronic member, being defined by an internal surface (14) of said tread (11) and by said sidewall (12), having an opening (16) defined by the free edge (13) of said sidewall (12), capable of being deformed to insert or remove said electronic member, characterised in that said sidewall (12) has on its inner surface (15) with respect to the volume (20) N grooves (19a, 19b) extending from the inner surface (14) of the tread (11) to the free edge (13).

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for attaching an electronic component to a pneumatic casing in order to convey identification information about the pneumatic casing or physical parameters of the pneumatic casing measured by the electronic component during the life of the pneumatic casing. Technological background

[0002] The integration of electronic devices into pneumatic tires allows for the connectivity of these tires, leading to the development of new services to optimize tire usage. However, these electronic components sometimes contain thermomechanically fragile elements, necessitating their integration during the tire's post-manufacturing process. Furthermore, to prevent damage to the electronic components during tire use, a mounting device has emerged as an interface between the electronic and pneumatic components.These fastening devices are generally elastic to avoid excessive stress on the pneumatic casing, to accommodate the significant deformations it undergoes during use, and to dampen the stresses transmitted to the electronic component. They are described in documents US2019160895A1, EP3030434B1, and DE102007030231A1. One of the most commonly used device designs is a patch with a base that serves as a mounting point for the pneumatic casing and has a closed wall extending from the base to an opening. The wall serves to grip or hold the electronic component in position within the device, the electronic component being tightly mounted inside the elastically deformable wall. The opening allows the electronic component to be inserted into and removed from the patch thanks to the elasticity of the opening material.

[0003] The document illustrates a patch of this type. Firstly, this type of patch does not facilitate the insertion or extraction of the electronic component due to its tight fit within the patch. Therefore, it is difficult to design an automated tool for inserting or extracting the electronic component within the pneumatically mounted mounting device that is both inexpensive and efficient, due to the manufacturing variations of the patch, the electronic component, and the necessary tight fit of the electronic component within the patch. Furthermore, under high stress on the pneumatic casing, the physical parameter measurements performed by the electronic component are inaccurate due to excessive heating of the patch.Therefore, the measurements taken are ineffective even with a measurement correction procedure, particularly during transient phases that occur when the tire is drifting or cambered, or during braking or strong acceleration. Furthermore, this heating of the patch also reduces its mechanical endurance and consequently its lifespan. Therefore, removing the electronic component from its mounting is crucial, as the lifespan of the electronic component exceeds that of the tire and / or the patch.

[0004] The objects of the invention which follow aim to solve the problems of insertion and extraction of the electronic component in a way that is economical, reliable and without a strong impact on the endurance of the patch. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to a device for attaching a pneumatic casing of an electronic component to a wall, comprising: a sole suitable for being fixed to the wall of the pneumatic casing by means of an external surface; a closed retaining wall, suitable for retaining said electronic component, extending from the sole to a free edge and defining with said sole an open volume, the volume, suitable for receiving at least a part of said electronic component, being defined by the internal surface of said sole and of said retaining wall, having an opening delimited by the free edge of said retaining wall, suitable for deforming to introduce or extract said electronic component from said volume. The fixing device is characterized in that said retaining wall has on its internal surface N grooves, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, each extending from the internal surface of the sole to the free edge, in that the sole comprises on its internal surface M principal channels, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2, extending from each of the N grooves and in that the sole comprises on its internal surface at least one secondary channel connecting two of the M disjoint principal channels.

[0006] The fastening device, via its grooves, provides a fluidic conduit between the exterior of the device when equipped with the electronic component and the cavity remaining after the electronic component is inserted into the open volume. The extension of the lateral groove from the inner surface of the base to the free edge ensures this fluidic connection. Thus, during the dynamic insertion phase of the electronic component, the reduction of the air cavity within the open volume does not create overpressure in this cavity due to pressure equilibrium with the outside. Consequently, the pressure exerted on the electronic component during its insertion into the open volume is constant, which limits the insertion forces. Furthermore, these forces are more easily estimated for the design of an automated insertion tool.Furthermore, these insertion efforts are also less important due to the presence of the furrow, which allows for the definition of robust and economical insertion tools.

[0007] Using multiple grooves distributes the vacuum volume around the retaining wall, eliminating any risk of clumsiness during insertion or extraction that could lead to closing a lateral groove, thus preventing pressure equalization as would occur with a single groove. Furthermore, the increased number of grooves reduces the forces exerted on the retaining wall during insertion and extraction of the electronic component, ensuring improved mechanical strength of the mounting system.

[0008] Similarly, during the extraction of the electronic component, the pressure balance between the remaining cavity inside the volume and the exterior of the mounting device ensures that no negative pressure is created between these two fluidic environments. Thus, no additional force is exerted on the mounting device or the electronic component during the extraction step. Consequently, the extraction tooling is designed to be more robust and less expensive because the extraction forces required by this tooling are reduced due to the presence of the groove.

[0009] Finally, during periods of high stress on the tire in severe operating conditions, such as drifting, camber, or during transient braking and acceleration phases, any movement of the electronic component within the mounting system, or any deformation of the mounting system itself, does not generate overpressure or underpressure relative to the inflation pressure within the fluidic cavity formed by the tire and the wheel. This is due to the presence of this groove, which constantly balances the pressure between the two fluidic spaces. Consequently, no additional heating occurs in the remaining cavity, which significantly limits variations in the physical parameters of the electronic component's sensors (if equipped) and, furthermore, reduces the forces transmitted to the mounting patch, thus improving its mechanical durability.

[0010] These main channels create a minimal void in the remaining cavity when the electronic component is inserted into the open volume, ensuring that one of the electronic component's outer surfaces contacts the inner surface of the sole. The electronic component's contact surface is often flat for practical reasons, while the inner surface of the sole follows the curvature of the tire. This curvature of the tire changes with each wheel rotation under operating conditions, particularly due to the contact patch, which represents the contact area between the tire and the ground. Therefore, it is possible to trap fluid between the inner surface of the sole and the electronic component's contact surface by dividing the remaining cavity.By maintaining fluidic contact with the outside via the lateral groove to which it is attached, pressure equilibrium is ensured between the exterior of the fastening device and the remaining cavity at the inner surface of the sole, even in the event of a rupture of this remaining fluidic cavity. Furthermore, this minimal vacuum allows for control of the fluidic piston's rigidity within the lateral groove by creating a fluid reservoir. The larger this vacuum reservoir, the lower the rigidity of the lateral groove, regardless of the groove's minimum cross-section.

[0011] Using multiple main channels allows the vacuum volume to be distributed across the entire internal surface of the base. This eliminates any risk of mishaps during insertion or removal that could lead to misalignment of the electronic component within the open volume, potentially even blocking a main channel and preventing pressure equalization if there were only one. Furthermore, the multiple main channels allow for the potential distribution of fluid flow through the lateral grooves if the retaining wall is equipped with several lateral grooves. This facilitates the insertion and removal of the electronic component from the open volume, ensuring better mechanical stability of the mounting system and uniform clamping of the electronic component by the retaining wall.

[0012] In cases where the main channels on the inner surface of the sole are disjointed, secondary channels should be connected to facilitate fluid flow. This ensures pressure equilibrium between the exterior and the remaining cavity when a main channel is blocked or in the event of fragmentation of the remaining fluidic cavity. This also increases the usable volume of the remaining cavity, thereby reducing the rigidity of the fluidic system in the lateral grooves.

[0013] In conclusion, the presence of these grooves and primary and secondary channels addresses the problem raised. Other solutions exist to create this fluidic connection between the exterior of the fastening device and the remaining cavity, such as an orifice passing through the retaining wall and / or the base. However, these solutions create areas prone to cracking within the fastening device, which is detrimental to its durability. Furthermore, a closed channel is easier to reseal than a groove, which is inherently open, for elastic materials such as the fastening device, potentially leading to ineffective pressure balancing. Finally, the fastening device is generally a molded part, making it inexpensive, similar to the injection molding process.Creating a groove on the inner surface of the retaining wall is easily achieved using the injection molding process by introducing a mirror-like protrusion onto one of the two mold shells. A through-hole requires an additional step of creating the post-molding hole in the body of the retaining device, which is more expensive.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment, the N grooves are also distributed along the contour defined by the internal surface of the sole and the internal surface of the retaining wall.

[0015] An even distribution of grooves on the contour reinforces the homogeneity of insertion and extraction forces at the level of the sole and the retaining wall, which ensures homogeneous clamping of the electronic component by the retaining wall and which ensures better endurance of the fixing device.

[0016] According to a very particular embodiment, the N grooves each have, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the groove, a minimum width at the level of the internal surface of the retaining wall greater than or equal to the minimum depth of the groove.

[0017] This groove shape, regardless of the groove's cross-sectional geometry—square, rectangular, triangular, quadrilateral, semicircular, or elliptical—ensures that the groove opening is at least equal to its depth. This limits the risk of the section closing due to elastic deformation of the retaining wall, thus ensuring a minimal cross-section even under high thermomechanical stresses on the fastening device. Furthermore, the retaining wall is generally thin to minimize the mass of the fastening device. The groove's dimensions avoid increasing the thickness of this retaining wall, thereby reducing the mass and cost of the fastening patch. Finally, the thin profile facilitates deformation of the retaining wall during the insertion and removal phases of the electronic component.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment, the N grooves each have a minimum cross-section in the plane perpendicular to the groove direction of at least 0.09 mm², preferably of at least 0.16 mm².

[0019] This minimum cross-section ensures that even under the very high thermomechanical stresses potentially encountered in road use, the lateral groove will not close, which is preferable for the durability of the device and the electronic component. Similarly, depending on the number of available lateral grooves and their minimum cross-sections, this minimum cross-section per groove defines a minimum effective fluid flow area through the network of lateral grooves. This fluid flow rate defines the rigidity characteristics of the fluid system under dynamic insertion and extraction stresses of the electronic component, which partially controls the torque consisting of the relative movement speed of the electronic component with respect to the mounting device and the external force required to slide the electronic component within the open volume.

[0020] Specifically, the M main channels delimit the internal surface of the sole into at least M+1 equal surfaces.

[0021] If the M main channels are all disjoint, it is preferable to distribute them across the entire internal surface of the footing to ensure even coverage, particularly when considering the remaining fluidic cavity. In this case, the internal surface of the footing is divided into M+1 equal areas. If the main channels intersect, the resulting areas are equal, and their number is necessarily greater than M+1. For example, if the M main channels intersect at a single geometric point, the internal surface of the footing is divided into 2*M areas delimited by two different channels.Dividing the internal surface into equal sub-surfaces via the main channels minimizes the risk of malfunction of the fluidic circuit by obstruction of certain grooves or main channels when the fastening device is equipped with an electronic component within its open volume under conditions of use on pneumatics for example.

[0022] Very advantageously, at least one main channel has, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the main channel, a minimum width at the level of the internal surface of the sole greater than or equal to the minimum depth of the main channel.

[0023] The base of the fastening device must follow the curvature of the tire, which changes with each wheel rotation. To meet this requirement, the base is often made of elastic materials that deform significantly under thermomechanical stresses. The effectiveness of the vacuum volume created depends on the main channel's ability to remain unobstructed under these high thermomechanical stresses during tire use. This prevents overpressure or overheating of the material, which is detrimental to the durability of the fastening device and the electronic components. A cross-section with such an opening relative to its depth reliably facilitates fluid flow through the main channel for a given thermomechanical stress, regardless of the main channel's cross-sectional shape.

[0024] Preferably each of the M main channels each have a minimum cross-section in the plane perpendicular to the direction of the main channel of at least 0.09 mm², preferably of at least 0.16 mm².

[0025] This minimum cross-section ensures that even under the very high thermomechanical stresses potentially encountered in road use, the main channel will not close, which is preferable for the endurance of the device and the electronic component. Similarly, depending on the number of available main channels and their minimum cross-sections, this minimum cross-section per main channel defines the minimum fluid volume passing through the main channel network. This minimum volume defines the rigidity characteristics of the fluidic system under insertion and extraction stresses of the electronic component, which partially controls the torque consisting of the movement speed and the external force required to slide the electronic component within the open volume.

[0026] Advantageously, the at least one secondary channel has, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the secondary channel, a minimum width at the level of the internal surface of the sole greater than or equal to the minimum depth of the secondary channel and preferably a minimum cross-section of at least 0.09 mm², preferably the minimum cross-section of the secondary channel being at least 0.09 mm².

[0027] In order to avoid blockage of the secondary channel under high thermomechanical stresses in the operating conditions of the pneumatic envelope, it is preferable to dimension the shape of the cross-section of the secondary channel and preferably the surface area of ​​this cross-section to avoid any blockage in the operating conditions of the pneumatic envelope.

[0028] According to a very particular embodiment, the N lateral grooves each have a radius of curvature greater than or equal to 0.05 millimeter.

[0029] According to a very particular embodiment, the M main channels each have a radius of curvature greater than or equal to 0.05 millimeter.

[0030] According to a very particular embodiment, at least one secondary channel has a radius of curvature greater than or equal to 0.05 millimeter.

[0031] This avoids, when the lateral groove or the main channel or the secondary channel has a quadrilateral type cross-section, stress concentration phenomena which are always detrimental to the endurance of the fixing device and in particular of the retaining wall which is an area of ​​high mechanical stress during the insertion and extraction phases of the electronic component.

[0032] Advantageously, the fastening device is made of an elastomeric material.

[0033] The hyperelastic properties of elastomeric materials facilitate the elastic deformation of the fastening device, enabling the insertion and removal of the electronic component. Furthermore, since the tire casing wall is generally not flat, the elasticity of this material creates an effective bonding surface between the sole and the tire casing wall.

[0034] Among elastomeric materials, rubber compounds based on saturated or unsaturated diene elastomers such as butyl, SBR, polybutadiene, natural rubber, and polyisoprene are good candidates due to their compatibility with the rubber compounds used in tire casings. Butyl offers the advantage of excellent oxidation resistance. EPDM (epoxy resin deposition modeling) can also be used as an elastomer. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber).

[0035] Finally, these rubbery mixtures do not impair the radio frequency communication performance of electronic devices because they are natural electrical insulators whose insulating properties can be adjusted by using more or less reinforcing conductive charges.

[0036] The invention also relates to an arrangement of a pneumatic casing comprising a top, two sides extending from the top and each ending in a bead suitable for being linked to a wheel and a fastening device in which the fastening device is fixed on one of the surfaces of the pneumatic casing, preferably on the radially inner surface of the pneumatic casing.

[0037] The primary purpose of the fastening device is to attach it to a tire by positioning it on a surface of the tire after it has been manufactured. Preferably, the fastening device is attached to the radially inner surface of the tire, defining the closed cavity formed by the tire and the wheel when the tire is mounted on the wheel. This protects the fastening device, and potentially the electronic component, from any external damage to the tire.

[0038] Advantageously, the fastening device is fixed directly to the top of the pneumatic casing.

[0039] Advantageously, an electronic component is inserted into the fastening device of the arrangement.

[0040] When the electronic component intended for insertion into the open volume of the mounting device measures physical parameters of the tire related to its apex, the mounting device should be positioned as close as possible to this area to obtain a reliable and accurate measurement of this physical parameter. These physical parameters could be, for example, the radial or longitudinal acceleration of the apex, in order to determine the shape of the contact area representing the contact between the tire, when mounted and loaded, and the ground or even water in hydroplaning conditions. Brief description of the drawings

[0041] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which the same reference numbers designate identical parts throughout and in which: There Fig. 1presents a perspective view of a state-of-the-art device for attaching an electronic component to a pneumatic system; The Fig. 2 presents a perspective view of a fastening device according to a first partial embodiment of the invention; The Fig. 3 presents a perspective view of a fastening device in a second practical embodiment of the invention in which the sole comprises a main channel; The Fig. 4 presents a perspective view of a fastening device in a second advantageous partial embodiment according to the invention; The Fig. 5 presents a perspective and cross-sectional view of a pneumatic casing equipped with a fastening device according to the invention. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0042] There Fig. 1This is a perspective view of a prior art mounting device 10 for an electronic component to a pneumatic casing. The mounting device 10 is of the open type, meaning that the electronic component can be inserted or removed from the mounting device through an opening that remains accessible even when the mounting device 10 is attached to the pneumatic casing. Therefore, the electronic component can be inserted or removed directly from the mounting device 10 on the pneumatic casing.

[0043] This fastening device 10 has a base 11 whose external surface is designed to be fixed to the surface of a pneumatic casing using state-of-the-art technical solutions well known to those skilled in the art. The fastening device 10 rotates about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the base 11. A retaining wall 12, which is closed over 360 degrees, is attached to this base 11. This retaining wall 12 has an opening 16 delimited by a free edge 13 of the retaining wall 12 of the fixing device 10. The opening 16 leads to an open volume 20 delimited by the inner surface 14 of the base 11 and the inner surface 15 of the retaining wall 11. The opening 16 is deformable to allow the insertion and extraction of an electronic component from the open volume 20. The elastic property of the material of this retaining wall 12 allows this enlargement of the opening 16 for the insertion and extraction phases.In addition, it also provides a holding or clamping force on the electronic component when it is housed in the open volume 20.

[0044] There figure 2 presents a fastening device 10 according to a first partial embodiment of the invention obtained from the fastening device of the Fig. 1 The retaining wall 12 includes on its internal surface 15 two grooves 19a and 19b extending from the internal surface 14 of the sole 11 to the free edge 13 of the retaining wall 12.

[0045] Each groove 19a and 19b constitutes a fluidic conduit between the exterior of the fixing device 10 and the free space of the open volume 20 of the fixing device 10. The free space is understood to be the difference between the initial volume of the open volume 20 and the volume occupied by the electronic element at each instant of the insertion or extraction phases of the electronic element from the open volume 20. The smaller this free space is, the greater the insertion or extraction force to be exerted on the electronic element, in particular in the absence of these grooves 19a and 19b.

[0046] Here, the two grooves 19a and 19b are evenly distributed around the periphery of the inner surface 15 of the retaining wall 12, and consequently around the periphery of the inner surface 14 of the base 11, in order to maximize the efficiency of the fluidic system while minimizing the risk of groove blockage. The cross-section of this groove is semi-circular here; it could be square, rectangular, oval, or elliptical, with a radius of approximately 0.3 millimeters. The cross-section is uniform by design here; it could be variable, when the fastening device 10 is not equipped with the electronic component, and has a value of approximately 0.135 square millimeters. This cross-section, which is the minimum cross-section, is sufficient to limit insertion and extraction forces to reasonable levels for manual operation by a skilled person, particularly due to the presence of two grooves instead of one.Furthermore, it ensures that even in the event of imperfect insertion or extraction of the electronic component from the open volume 20 of the fastening device 10—that is, if the electronic component's trajectory is not perpendicular to the internal surface 14 of the base 11—the remaining volume of the fluidic conduit, formed by the grooves 19a and 19b, will be sufficient to facilitate insertion and extraction. In particular, this allows for the definition of the maximum force required to extract or insert the electronic component from the fastening device in cases of imperfect operation. This enables, on the one hand, the appropriate dimensioning of the electronic component and the fastening device 10 in terms of mechanical resistance, and on the other hand, the automation of insertion and extraction operations.

[0047] Finally, obtaining these grooves 19a and 19b is easily accomplished industrially when the fastening device 10 is produced by a molding process. Indeed, it suffices to add, for example, two rods—here straight rods with a circular cross-section—into the mold dies of a state-of-the-art fastening device. These rods have the inverse image of groove 19a or 19b, in order to generate these grooves 19a and 19b directly during the molding operation of the fastening device 10. This does not add any additional manufacturing time; the rods can be intimately bonded to the mold dies and are used to produce several parts since they are reusable. In the case of a square or elliptical groove section, connecting radii should be added to facilitate the demolding of the fixing devices 10. As a result, the technical solution is economically minimal compared to the realization of a state-of-the-art fixing device 10.Mechanically, the groove is formed simultaneously with the fastening device without any subsequent operation on the fastening device, such as cutting, which could weaken it. This ensures greater resistance to the fastening device 10 equipped with said groove.

[0048] There figure 3 is an example of a fixing device 10 according to a second partial embodiment. In addition to the presence of grooves, here two in number 19a and 19b, on the internal surface 15 of the retaining wall 12, the internal surface 14 of the sole 11 also has a main channel 21.

[0049] This main channel 21 opens at both ends into each of the grooves 19a and 19b, since these are diametrically opposed. Here, the grooves are evenly distributed over the internal surface 15 of the retaining wall 12, which is of revolution, and the main channel 21 is positioned so that the internal surface 14 of the sole 11 is divided into two almost equal surfaces by the main channel 21.

[0050] When the electronic component is inserted into the mounting device 10 so that it comes into contact with the inner surface 14 of the base 11, which is common, the free space left by the electronic component in the open volume 20 of the mounting device 10 is reduced or even eliminated. Consequently, the insertion and extraction forces of the electronic component during the final moments of insertion and the initial moments of extraction, respectively, increase significantly despite the presence of the grooves 19a and 19b. The presence of the main channel 21 creates a residual void volume for the free space, which leads to a substantial reduction in the insertion and extraction forces when the electronic component is positioned up to the inner surface 14 of the base 11.To be effective for the fluidic circuit formed by the grooves 19a and 19b, it is preferable that this main channel 21 open into the grooves 19a and 19b at the level of the internal surface 14 of the base 11. In another configuration, the mounting device 10 can have two main channels extending at their ends onto the internal surface 15 of the retaining wall 12. At only one of these ends does the main channel open into a groove. And the two main channels divide the internal surface 14 of the base 11 into three sub-surfaces of almost equal size. Thus, there is a statistically greater chance of finding an unobstructed main channel in fluidic connection with the outside via a groove, even when the electronic component is imperfectly positioned in the open volume 20 of the mounting device 10.

[0051] Here, the cross-section of the main channel 21 is semi-circular, but it could be square, rectangular, oval, or elliptical, with a radius of approximately 0.3 millimeters. The cross-section is uniform by design, but it could be variable, for example, when the fixation device is not equipped with the electronic component, and have a value of approximately 0.135 square millimeters. This cross-section, which corresponds to the minimum cross-section, is sufficient to limit insertion and extraction forces to reasonable levels for manual work by a skilled person. This minimum cross-section can be smaller if the number of main channels is sufficient to ensure a satisfactory overall volume within the free space.In particular, this allows the maximum extraction or insertion force of the electronic component of the fastening device to be defined in cases of imperfect operations, which allows the electronic component and the fastening device 10 to be mechanically dimensioned appropriately and the insertion or extraction operations to be automated.

[0052] This technical solution can be industrialized by integrating a shape representing the inverse image of the main channel 21 into one of the mold shapes of the fastening device. Thus, the main channel 21 is obtained simultaneously with the fastening device 10 without any subsequent operation on the fastening device 10, such as cutting, which could weaken it. This ensures greater strength for the fastening device 10 equipped with the aforementioned main channel 21.

[0053] There figure 4is a perspective view of a fastening device 10 according to a variant of the second partial embodiment of the fastening device 10 of the invention.

[0054] In this variant, the internal surface 14 of the sole 11 comprises two main grooves 21a and 21b which intersect each other. These delimit, in the case of the Fig. 4 The internal surface 14 is divided into four equal subspaces. Each subspace is delimited by the two main channels 21a and 21b and represents a portion of the internal surface 14 of the sole 11 over a 90-degree angular sector. Indeed, the fastening device 10 of the Fig. 4 is of revolution around its axis of rotation perpendicular to the sole 11.

[0055] Each main channel 21a and 21b opens at its respective end into a groove 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d. These grooves are themselves evenly distributed across the inner surface 15 of the retaining wall 12. They divide the inner surface 15 into four equal angular sectors of 90 degrees each. Thus, the remaining volume or free space of the open volume is geographically evenly distributed around the axis of rotation of the fixing device 10.

[0056] Here, the cross-section of the main channels 21a and 21b is identical and semi-circular in shape; it could be square, rectangular, oval, or elliptical, with a radius of approximately 0.25 millimeters. The cross-section is uniform by design, but it could be variable, when the fastening device is not equipped with the electronic component, and have a value of approximately 0.09 square millimeters. This cross-section, which corresponds to the minimum cross-section, is sufficient to limit the insertion and extraction forces to reasonable levels for manual operation by a skilled person. In particular, it allows for defining the maximum extraction or insertion force of the electronic component from the fastening device in cases of imperfect operation. This allows, on the one hand, for the appropriate mechanical dimensioning of the electronic component and the fastening device 10, and on the other hand, for the automation of the insertion or extraction operations.

[0057] This technical solution can be industrialized by integrating a shape representing the inverse image of each main channel 21a and 21b into one of the mold shapes of the fastening device. Thus, the main channels 21a and 21b are produced simultaneously with the fastening device 10 without any subsequent operation on the fastening device 10, such as cutting, which could weaken it. This ensures greater strength for the fastening device 10 equipped with the aforementioned main channels 21a and 21b.

[0058] There Fig. 5This figure shows a cross-section of a pneumatic tire 100 according to the invention, comprising a vertex S extended by two flanks F and terminating in two bead ridges B. In this case, the tire 100 is intended to be mounted on a wheel, which is not shown in this figure, at the level of the two bead ridges B. This defines a closed cavity, containing at least one pressurized fluid, delimited both by the second radially internal surface 130 of the pneumatic tire 100 and by the external surface of the wheel. The tire casing 100 also includes a first radially external surface 140.

[0059] We will note the reference axis 201 corresponding to the reference axis or natural axis of rotation of the pneumatic tire 100 and the median plane 211, perpendicular to the reference axis 201 and equidistant from the two ridges B. The intersection of the reference axis 201 by the median plane 211 determines the center of the pneumatic tire 200. We will define a Cartesian coordinate system at the center of the pneumatic tire 200 consisting of the reference axis 201, a vertical axis 203 perpendicular to the ground and a longitudinal axis 202 perpendicular to the other two axes. And, we will define the axial plane 212 passing through the reference axis 201 and the longitudinal axis 202, parallel to the ground plane and perpendicular to the median plane 211. Finally, we will call the vertical plane 213 the plane perpendicular to both the median plane 211 and the axial plane 212 passing through the vertical axis 203.

[0060] Every material point of the pneumatic tire 100 is uniquely defined by its cylindrical coordinates (Y, R, θ). The scalar Y represents the axial distance to the center of the tire 200 in the direction of the reference axis 201, defined by the orthogonal projection of the material point of the tire 100 onto the reference axis 201. A radial plane 214 is defined, making an angle θ with respect to the vertical plane 213 around the reference axis 201. The material point of the tire 100 is located in this radial plane 214 by the distance R to the center of the tire 200 in the direction perpendicular to the reference axis 201, identified by the orthogonal projection of this material point onto the radial axis 204. The unit vector perpendicular to the radial plane 214 and forming a right-handed trihedron with the unit vectors of the axial direction 201 and the radial direction 204 represents the circumferential direction of the tire 100.

[0061] This tire has a fastening device 10 on its inner radial surface 130. This device is attached to the surface 130 by bonding, using conventional techniques when the fastening device is made of an elastomeric material. The fastening device 10 is fixed at the apex S of the tire casing 100, which improves its durability. This positioning of the fastening device reduces problems during wheel mounting and dismounting operations on the tire casing 100. The fastening device is located away from the bead B of the tire casing 100. The fastening device is equipped with an electronic component within its open volume, which provides a suitable housing for the electronic component. Therefore, the tire casing 100 is ready to be mounted on a wheel to form a complete assembly.The electronic device can deliver various functions such as the identification of certain components like the electronic device itself, the pneumatic.

[0062] However, the electronic unit can also be equipped with a pressure and / or temperature sensor to assess the inflation pressure of the assembled tire. Finally, it can also be equipped with sensors that directly measure the curvature of the tire, such as an accelerometer or a flexometer, allowing for the analysis of tire usage parameters such as angular velocity, mileage, and applied static load. All or some of these parameters can be used to identify tire performance characteristics such as wear, grip, or properties inherent to the surface on which the tire is traveling.

Claims

1. Fastening device (10) to a wall of a pneumatic tire of an electronic component comprising: - a base (11) adapted to be attached to the wall of the pneumatic tire via an outer surface; - a closed retaining wall (12) adapted to hold said electronic component, extending from the base (11) to a free edge (13) and defining with said base (11) an open volume (20), - the volume (20), adapted to receive at least a portion of said electronic component, being defined by an inner surface (14) of said base (11) and by said retaining wall (12), having an opening (16) bounded by the free edge (13) of said retaining wall (12), capable of deforming to insert or remove said electronic component from said volume (20); Wherein said retaining wall (12) has on its inner surface (15) relative to the volume (20) N grooves (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d), N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, each extending from the inner surface (14) of the base (11) to the free edge (13), the base (11) comprises on its internal surface (14) M main channels (21a, 21b), M being an integer greater than or equal to 2, each extending from one of the N grooves (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d), Characterized in that the base (11) includes on its inner surface (14) at least one secondary channel connecting two of the M main channels (21a, 21b) that are separated.

2. Fastening device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the N grooves (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) are equally distributed along the contour defined by the inner surface (14) of the base (11) and the inner surface (15) of the retaining wall (12).

3. Fastening device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the N grooves (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) each have, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the groove, a minimum width at the inner surface (15) of the retaining wall (12) that is greater than or equal to the minimum depth of the groove.

4. Fastening device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the N grooves (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) each have a minimum cross-section in the plane perpendicular to the direction of the groove (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) of at least 0.09 mm2, preferably at least 0.16 mm2.

5. Fastening device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the M main channels split the internal surface (14) of the base (11) into at least M+1 equal surfaces.

6. Fastening device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which each of the M main channels (21, 21a, 21b) has, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the main channel, a minimum width at the inner surface (14) of the base (11) that is greater than or equal to the minimum depth of the channel.

7. Fastening device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein each of the M main channels (21, 21a, 21b) has a minimum cross-section in the plane perpendicular to the direction of the main channel of at least 0.09 mm2, preferably at least 0.16 mm2.

8. Fastening device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one secondary channel has, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the secondary channel, a minimum width at the inner surface (14) of the base (11) that is greater than or equal to the minimum depth of the secondary channel, preferably the minimum cross-section of the secondary channel being at least 0.09 mm2.

9. Arrangement of a pneumatic tire (100) comprising a crown (S), two sidewalls (F) extending from the crown (S) and each ending in a bead (B) suitable for being mounted on a wheel, and a fastening device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fastening device (10) is attached to one of the surfaces (130, 140) of the pneumatic tire, preferably to the radially inner surface (130) of the pneumatic tire (100).

10. Arrangement according to the preceding claim in which the fastening device (10) is attached at the top (S) of the pneumatic tire (100).

11. Arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 10, wherein an electronic component is inserted into the fastening device (10) of the arrangement.

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